Community Sports Fields at Avondale Racecourse
Avondale Racecourse has served the community as a vital recreational hub for over 75 years. The original 1948 lease between the Avondale Jockey Club and the Council - along with supporting documents from subsequent lease extensions - demonstrates a continuous history of community use of the land within the racecourse for sports and recreation.
"There is a critical shortfall of cricket pitches in the region, disproportionately limiting participation across all age groups. Avondale Racecourse currently provides nine cricket pitches. During the 2024/25 summer season alone, the venue was scheduled to host 132 cricket matches. These include senior grade club fixtures (84 games), College Sport secondary school competitions (38 games), and junior and youth matches (10 games). The removal of these pitches would therefore eliminate a significant portion of the region’s cricket capacity, limiting opportunities for community engagement, youth development, and the ongoing growth of the sport.”
Astrid van Uden
Key Projects Lead
Auckland Cricket Association
August 2025
Read full letter of support here
​A Unique Urban Sports Asset
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Located inside the racing track perimeter, Avondale Racecourse comprises 15 hectares of open sports fields, making it one of the largest multi-use field spaces in the area. These fields are owned by the Avondale Jockey Club but leased to Auckland Council to ensure ongoing public access and community benefit.
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Seasonal Sports Provision
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Winter: Up to 13 rectangular fields are marked out for Rugby Union, Rugby League, and Football.
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Summer: The space transforms to accommodate nine artificial cricket wickets and a grassed athletics track, supporting a wide range of summer sports and school programs.
Supporting the Wider Sports Network
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These fields play a critical role in Auckland’s sports field network, alleviating pressure on other parks and helping to ensure all fields citywide are managed to a high standard. The Avondale fields are in high demand by:
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Local sports clubs and community teams
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Schools for PE, cross-country, and inter-school events
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Mass-participation events involving multiple groups
A Go-To Venue for Regional Events
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Regional sports organisations, such as Auckland Rugby, regularly use Avondale Racecourse for large-scale participation events. The fields are ideal for "have a go" days, Rip Rugby festivals, and school sports days, especially for tamariki and rangatahi who may not be involved in formal club or school teams.
Practical and Accessible
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The site's layout and facilities make it easy to host large events. Crucially, the availability of extensive bus and parent parking supports equitable access for schools and families across the region.